Display window



March 24, 1936. w. M GA FFEY DISPLAY WINDOW Filed Oct. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet J.

rch 24, 1936. MacG-AFFEY DISPLAY WINDOW Filed 001$. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 24, 1936 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a double glazed display window for store fronts.

The advantages of double glazing are well known, but up to the present time double glazing has only been applied where small areas of glass are used, such as in ordinary residence windows, car windows and the windows of locomotive cabs, and also on refrigerators and refrigerated display cases. In other words, it has apparently been generally believed that there is no practical solution to the problem of double glazing with large areas of glass for display windows in store fronts. The principal object of my invention is to provide a thoroughly practical and economical construction to meet-all requirements in double glazing such large windows, namely, to successfully hold the two large sheets of glass in spaced relation, successfully hold the two pieces of glass at corner bars, division bars, and mitered joints, 20 seal the air space sufiiciently to keep out dust, and successfully dehydrate the air contained inthe enclosed space.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through the complete assembly taken through a sill;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the assembly taken at a division bar;

Fig. 3 is a similar section taken at a corner bar;

Fig. 4 is another corner bar section, but showing a reverse angle;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the two setting blocks utilized under the two sheets of glass near opposite ends;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the dehydrating unit shown applied to an upper sealing strip, as appears from the section Fig. '7 in which the sealing strip is shown between the upper edges of the two sheets of glass.

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Figure 1 showing a modified or alternative construction, and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section showing a modified or alternative construction for use at corners where the sheets of glass are mitered and cemented together, whereby to dispense with the corner bar construction such as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral Ill desig nates a conventional sill having a backing strip ll spaced at least the standard distance of one and one-half inches from the forward edge of the sill to provide an abutment for the metal mould- 55 ings l2l 3 in which the two sheets of glass I i-4 5 are held, as presently described, I2 is referred to hereinafter as the back member and [3 as the face member. Both are preferably of extruded aluminum, heavy enough to serve the present purpose. A copper flashing it is usually provided covering the sill, and the back member I2 is seated thereon, as shown, and fastened by screws I! entered either into the sill H], as shown, or into the backing strip ll, screw holes being provided in the bottom and back Walls for that purpose. The bottom wall of the back member has a longitudinal channel or groove l8 formed therein substantially at the middle for reception of a sealing strip or separator I9 which serves to hold the sheets I 4l5 in spaced relation. The sealing function of the strip [9 is due to its being covered with adhesive tape 20, like the tape 2| applied to the edges of the sheets l4|5. The seal can be made practically air tight by coating the tape with shellac or other hardening cement.

A longitudinal V groove 22 is provided on the back Wall of the back member E2 to provide a better gripping action between the member and the taped edge of the glass, the tape being free toproject slightly into the groove, as indicated, and in that way prevent shifting of the glass. A similar groove 23 is provided on the inside of the front member 13 for a similar purpose. Channel shaped setting blocks 24 rest on the bottom of the back member I2 and are received in notches 25 provided in the strip l9. Leather or other cushioning material 26 is provided on the top of the blocks 24 for obvious reasons. Two blocks are provided at the usual distances from the ends of the glass. Screws 2? passed through holes in the front member 53 and through holes in the strip [9 thread into the back wall of the back member l2, as indicated, and serve when tightened to clamp the sheets I l-I5 firmly with the strip is interposed therebetween. The taped edges of the glass being compressed against the opposite sides of the strip l9 make a fairly effective seal,

especially when these parts are coated with shellac or other material having characteristics similar to gasket cement, and the adhesion also minimizes danger of the glass shifting in its setting.

The screws 21 are inclined downwardly so as to cause the front member !3 to seat firmly on the sill and make the rest of the assembly stay seated firmly on the back member l2, with the strip I9 engaging the bottom of the channel [8.

At division bars, the double glazed construction is substantially as shown in Fig. 2. 28 is the usual division bar, and 29 and 30 are the usual inner and outer mouldings. Two strips 3!, covnuts 39' to provide the clamping action.

ered and joined by adhesive tape, as indicated at 32, are interposed between the taped and shellacked edges of the sheets I l-I5 and l4'-l5' so as to: provide the same sealing action as well as protection against shifting of the glass, as previously described in referring to- Figure 1. Bolts 33 extending from the outer moulding 30 between the taped edges of the sheets l4-l5 and I4'--l5 extend through holes in the back wall of the bar 28 and receive nuts 34, which, when tightened, give the desired clamping action.

Fig. 3 shows the construction at a corner bar 35. 3B is an inside moulding and 31 is an outside moulding, and bolts 38 extend from the outside moulding through the bar 35 and receive nuts 39 to provide for the clamping action. The strips 4| are similar to the strips 3| but slightly wider, and are suitably covered and joined by adhesive tape 42 for engagement with the taped and shellacked edges 2| of the glass. The additional width is required because the edges of the outer sheets l5-l5' extend beyond the corresponding edges of the related inner sheets l4-l4'. Such construction is considered desirable because it enables keeping down to a minimum the width of the corner bar structure measured to either side of the bolts 38.

Fig. 4 shows the construction employed at another corner bar 35 for a reverse angle between sheets l4l5 and l4'--l5. 36' is the inner moulding and 31 the outer moulding, and the bolts 38' which extend inwardly from the outer moulding and through the bar 35' receive The strips 4 l in this construction are covered by adhesive tape 42' to provide for the same kind of engagement with the taped and shellacked edges of the glass, as previously described. In such a reverse angle corner bar construction, it is seen that the inner sheets l4l4' have their edges projecting beyond the corresponding edges of the outer sheets. With regard to these corner constructions, it will, of course, be understood that, while right angle corners are illustrated, the invention is applicable to all angles.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '7, 43 designates a small, elongated, substantially cylindrical container of screen or similar material containing moisture absorbent chemical 44. This container filled with the chemical is placed in the sealed air space 45 between the inner and outer sheets of glass to dehydrate the air. The container is preferably mounted in the top of the air space where it will be out of sight, and I have found it convenient to fasten the same by tacks or nails 46 to the upper sealing strip l9. This strip, like the bottom strip l9 and the side strips 3| or 4| or 4!, as the case may be, is covered with adhesive tape for sealing and non-shifting engagement with the taped edges of the glass.

In setting the window, both sheets are always set from the outside, the inner sheet l4 being placed first on the setting blocks 24 in abutment with the back wall of the back member l2, after which the spacing or sealing strips l9, 3|, and I9 are put into place to hold the inner sheet securely. Then the outer surface of the inner sheet is washed and the inner surface of the outer sheet, and then the outer sheet I5 is set in place and the face members I3 are immediately placed in position and fastened by screws 21. This completes the installation, assuming that the containers 43 with the moisture absorbent material therein were installed prior to the setting of the outer glass. It must be apparent that any ordinary glass jobber can without the use of any additional equipment or specially trained mechanics make such installations satisfactorily from his regular stock of store front sizes. No processing of any sort is necessary to make an installation. For example, some types of double glazing require two pieces of glass with a special spacer to provide the seal. The air space is then dehydrated chemically or by heat. Consequently, such a procedure is highly expensive and can only be done at a factory manufacturing the product. Another objection to such processed glass is that it is impossible to make replacements quickly and at moderate expense. With the present construction, in the event of breakage, any glass jobber can make replacement as easily as he would replace a single plate, aside, of course, from the fact that two plates instead of one must be handled. Furthermore, the metal construction herein employed to hold the two plates is interchangeable with any standard store front construction available on the market today, thus making it unnecessary to change the structure of any existing metal store front in order to make an installation, and installations can be successfully made in any type of setting whether it be wood, iron, brass, or bronze, with little or no extra expense entailed to receive the double glazed construction. No change Whatever is necessary in the sub-structure and no special shapes of metal coverings are required for the sills, jambs, transom bars, etc. In fact the only added cost approaches very nearly the cost of the extra sheet or plate of glass supplied plus the cost of the metal construction and separators necessary to hold the two instead of one. This metal construction compares in price with any other existing store front construction of similar weight and size. The advantages flowing from the use of this invention in a store front or display window are:

(1) It provides for practically entire elimination of sweating, steaming, condensation, frosting and freezing of the display window under any and all conditions regardless of how extreme they may be, thereby providing clear vision under all circumstances and in all climates. In so far as the collection of moisture in the display space resulting from sweating or condensation is concerned, it is to be noted that the loss of merchandise in show windows caused by excessive moisture is tremendous, this being particularly true .of fine candies, etc. The present construction is therefore particularly suited to any type of store having moisture to contend with, such as bakeries, florists, restaurants, candy and confectionery stores, cleaning and. dyeing establishments, and all stores handling food stuffs, such as fresh vegetables, etc.

(2) It provides for and takes care of all buildings which are equipped with air conditioning, effecting a considerable saving in heat losses in cool climates on the one hand, and minimizing radiation of heat through the glass in warm climates.

(3) It eliminates any possibility of dust from the outside getting into the display space, thereby protecting any merchandise in the display windows, such as fine fabrics of delicate colors,

candy, bakery goods, food stuffs of all kinds, etc. F

In this connection, it may also be mentioned that with ordinary single glazed show windows the infiltration of dust is sufficient to make the showing of finer gowns impossible; a gown left in the windows for only a short time becomes so soiled that cleaning is necessary and it cannot be sold as new merchandise. tion, since the seal is not hermetical and there is a slight air leakage, there may be a sufficient collection of dust particles on the two inside surfaces in the course of a year or two to make it advisable to remove the outer glass and wash the two surfaces. When the outer glass is oif, the dehydrating units can also be recharged or regenerated so that double advantage is taken of the operation, and the cost of such an operation will not be more than the cost of removing and resetting a single plate glass. Certain absorbent materials can be regenerated by simply heating the same to drive off the collected moisture.

(4) The present method of holding glass is far superior to the old methods of holding single plates because the plates are sealed and the edges taped so that there is no possibility of the glass shifting after it is once in place. Shifting of glass is now one of the most common causes of breakage.

(5) There is no limit to the size of glass which can be handled successfully and held safely under the present method. The maximum size which can be produced by the manufacturers of plate glass is in reality the only limitation so far as size is concerned.

(6) Display windows glazed with two plates of glass using the present construction give no evidence of double glazing, and it is only upon very careful scrutiny that an observer would notice any difference whatever between such a window and a single glazed window; there is no perceptible difference so far as visibility is concerned, and, of course, the present invention provides clear vision under circumstances and conditions where a single glazed window would provide little or no vision.

In conclusion, attention is directed to Fig. 8 showing a construction similar to that of Figure 1 having the mouldings l2 and I3 of sheet metal instead of extruded metal, but otherwise of similar construction to that shown in Figure 1. With such a construction, the screws 21' used for clamping the plates by means of the face member I 3 are preferably screwed into the backing strip I I instead of into the back member l2. Such a sheet metal construction, being less sturdy than the extruded construction, and, of. course, less expensive, could be used on smaller sized windows where the difference in strength and rigidity would not be noticeable.

So far as the corner constructions are concerned, it should be understood that I may dispense with the corner bars and their related mouldings and bolts if the edges of the sheets are mitered, as shown at 41 in the case of the sheets l4al5a. and I4b-I5b in Fig. 9. 48 indicates cement for joining the mitered edges. Strips Ma and 4 lb interposed between the sheets at the corner may or may not be ,covered with adhesive tape, their function being merely to hold the sheets in spaced relation.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of all of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims are drawn with a View to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. A double glazed window construction comprising a frame, inner and outer sheets of glass, a metal moulding of substantially right angle cross-section mounted in said frame providing an outer Wall and a back wall, the outer wall having With the present construca longitudinal recess provided therein spaced from the back wall, a spacer strip arranged to be entered removably in said recess to retain the inner sheet of glass between the spacer and the back wall while the outer sheet of glass is being placed in abutment with the outside of said strip, another metal moulding in front of the first moulding and approximately parallel to the back wall thereof having one edge disposed in front of the outer wall of said moulding and its other edge movable toward the outer sheet of glass to clamp the two sheets with the spacer strip interposed therebetween against the back wall of the first moulding, and means for fastening the second moulding in place so as to produce the clamping action referred to.

2. A double glazed window construction comprising a frame, inner and outer sheets of glass,

a metal moulding of substantially right angle cross-section mounted in said frame providing a bottom wall and a back wall, the bottom wall having a longitudinal recess provided therein spaced from the back wall, a spacer strip arranged to be entered removably in said recess to retain the inner sheet of glass between the spacer and the back wall while the outer sheet of glass is being placed in abutment with the outside of said strip, setting blocks disposed in transverse relation to said strip extending through openings provided therein and resting on the bottom wall of 9 said moulding, said blocks serving to support said inner and outer sheets of glass, another metal moulding in front of the first moulding and approximately parallel to the back wall thereof having one edge disposed in front of the bottom wall of said moulding and its other edge movable toward the outer sheet of glass to clamp the two sheets with the spacer strip interposed therebetween against the back wall of the first moulding, and means for fastening the second moulding in place so as to produce the clamping action referred to.

3. A window construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein the marginal edge portions of the sheets of glass are covered with adhesive tape and the spacer strip has that portion interposed between the sheets likewise covered with adhesive tape, whereby to form a seal for the air space between the sheets when the sheets and strip are clamped.

4. A window construction as set forth in claim 1,' wherein the marginal edge portions of the sheets of glass are covered with adhesive tape and the spacer strip has that portion interposed between the sheets likewise covered with adhesive tape, whereby to form a seal for the air space between the sheets when the sheets and strip are clamped, and the clamping surfaces of the two mouldings arranged to engage the taped edges of said sheets having longitudinal grooves provided therein, for the purpose specified.

5; A window construction as set forth in claim 1, including an elongated container mounted on the spacing strip in the air space between the two sheets of glass and having moisture absorbent material therein exposed to the air in said space.

6. A window construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein the marginal edge portions of the sheets of glass are covered with adhesive tape and the spacer strip has that portIon interposed between the sheets likewise covered with adhesive tape, whereby to form a seal for the air space between the sheets when the sheets and strip are clamped, the construction further including an elongated container mounted on the spacing strip in the air space between the two sheets of glass and having moisture absorbent material therein exposed to the air in said space.

7. In a double glazed window construction, a frame, inner and outer plates of glass arranged to be removably mounted in said frame in spaced relation to form a dead air space therebetween, a combination sealing and spacing strip removably mounted in said frame between the inner and outer plates to space the same and seal the dead air space when the plates are clamped. against opposite sides of said strip, the edges of the plates and the surfaces of said strip being covered with adhesive material to form sealed joints but permit removal of the plates from sealing engagement with the strip, and means for detachably clamping said plates in said frame against opposite sides of said strip.

8. A construction as set forth in claim 7, including a renewable container disposed in the dead air space between the plates and containing moisture absorbent material exposed to the air in said space.

9. In a store front window construction, a frame, two plates of glass arranged to be removably mounted in said frame in spaced relation so as to form a dead air space therebetween, a spacing strip interposed between the plates to hold the same in spaced relation, moulding strips in the frame having screws for removably securing the same in operative relation to the plates clamping the plates against opposite sides of the strip, the construction, while permitting removal of the plates, forming a nearly hermetically sealed dead air space between said plates, and a removable container in said space having moisture absorbent material therein exposed to the air in said space.

10. In a store front double glazed window construction, a vertical division bar, inner and outer plates of glass disposed in front of said bar, the edges of the inner plates and the edges of the outer plates being laterally spaced, vertical spacing strips interposed between the inner and outer plates to hold the outer plates in forwardly spaced relation to the inner plates, a vertical inner moulding between the division bar and the inner plates and overlapping the marginal edges of the latter, a vertical outer moulding overlapping the marginal edges of the outer plates, and fasteners extending from the outer moulding inwardly between the edges of the plates and the spacing strips and through the inner moulding and through the division bar and arranged when tightened to draw the outer moulding toward the division bar, whereby to clamp the plates between the mouldings and against opposite sides of the spacer strips.

11. In a store front double glazed window construction, a vertical corner bar, inner and outer plates of glass disposed in front of said bar, the edges of the inner plates and the edges of the outer plates being laterally spaced, vertical spacing strips interposed between the inner and outer plates to hold the outer plates in forwardly spaced relation to the inner plates, a vertical inner moulding between the corner bar and the inner plates and overlapping the marginal edges of the latter, a vertical outer moulding overlapping the marginal edges of the outer plates, and fasteners extending from the outer moulding inwardly between the edges of the plates: and the spacing strips and through the inner moulding and through the corner bar and arranged when tightened to draw the outer moulding toward the corner bar, whereby to clamp the plates between the mouldingsand against opposite sides of the spacer strips.

12. In a double glazed store front window construction, inner and outer plates of glass having mitered edges to match similarly mitered edges of other inner and outer plates of glass at a corner, cement for joining the correlated mitered edges of the inner and outer plates, whereby to seal the dead air space between said plates, and corner-spacer strips interposed between the inner and outer plates.

13. A knock-down construction for a double glazed window comprising a bordering frame having a rear flange and a longitudinal groove provided therein in forwardly spaced relation to said flange, spacer strips removably received in said groove in such relation to the rear flange to retain an inner plate of glass between the flange and strips, inner and outer plates of glass sealed removably to said strips, and facing strips removably secured to the bordering frame and serving to clamp the plates and spacer strips to the rear flange.

14.-A knock-down construction for a double glazed window comprising a bordering frame having a rear flange and a longitudinal groove provided therein in forwardly spaced relation to said flange, spacer strips removably received in said groove in such relation to the rear flange to retain an inner plate of glass between the flange and strips, inner and outer plates of glass sealed removably to said strips, means for removably supporting the plates on the bottom of the bordering frame independently of the spacer strips and substantially centered with respect to the frame, and facing strips removably secured to the bordering frame and serving to clamp the plates and spacer strips to the rear flange.

15. A knock-down construction for a double glazed window comprising a bordering frame having a rear flange and a'longitudinal groove provided therein in forwardly spaced relation to said flange, spacer strips removably received in said groove in such relation to the rear flange to retain an inner plate of glass between the flange and strips, inner and outer plates of glass sealed removably to said strips, said spacer strips having an adhesive tape covering and the marginal edge portions of the glass plates being covered with adhesive tape to adhere thereto to provide a detachable seal, and facing strips removably secured to the bordering frame and serving to clamp the plates and spacer strips to the rear flange.

16. A double glazed window construction comprising a frame having a rear wall, an inner plate of glass disposed in abutment with the rear wall, an outer plate of glass arranged to be disposed in forwardly spaced relation to the inner plate, means for retaining the inner plate while the outer plate is being set in spaced relation to the inner plate, said retaining means being constructed so as to engage the marginal portions of both plates to hold the outer plate in spaced relation to the inner plate, and a front molding engaging the marginal portion of the outer plate and serving to hold the latter in the described assembled relation to the inner plate and bordering frame.

17. A double glazed window construction comprising a frame having a back wall, an inner plate of glass disposed in abutment with the back wall, an outer plate of glass set in forwardly spaced relation to the inner plate, means for retaining the inner plate while the outer late is being set.

and a front molding engaging the marginal portion of the outer plate to retain the same.

18. A knock-down construction for a double glazed window comprising a frame having a rear flange and a longitudinal groove provided therein in forwardly spaced relation to said flange, a spacer strip removably received in said groove in such relation to the rear flange to retain an inner plate of glass between the flange and strip, inner and outer plates of glass disposed on opposite sides of said strip and held in spaced relation thereby, sealing material disposed between the marginal portions of said plates and the opposite sides of said strip serving to seal the space between the plates, and sealing material serving to seal the strip in the groove to seal against air passage around the edges of the plates past the spacer strip, and other sealing material between the marginal portion of the inner plate and the rear flange of the frame to further seal against air passage at that point, and a front molding engaging the marginal portion of the outer plate to retain the same in place, together with other sealing material between the marginal portion of said outer plate and said molding to further seal against air passage at that point.

19. A knock-down window construction as set forth in claim 18, including setting blocks extending in transverse relation to the spacer strip through openings provided therein, whereby to support the plates on the bottom of the frame independently of the spacer strip and spaced from the bottom of the frame, the setting blocks sealing the openings in the spacer strip to prevent air passage at those points.

WYATT MACGAFFEY. 

